I partnered with Bonn Greeters but all opinions are my own.

You can read part 1 here .

Martinsbrunnen (Saint Martin’s Fountain)

While trying to explain the history, significance and contribution of Saint Martin to the Catholic Church, Miriam’s husband pushing their baby’s stroller passed by. After we said our hellos to a surprisingly happy baby in this cold day, we went on with our tour.

Here I have learned that Saint Martin of Tours is a Roman Soldier. He was baptized when he was already an adult and became a French Town bishop.

During a snowstorm, he cut his cloak and gave it to a beggar to save from the cold.

That same night, Jesus appeared on his dreams wearing a half cloak and told the angels, “Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is now baptized; he has clothed me.”

He is known as children’s friend and patron of the poor.

Here you’ll see children chasing geese for St. Martin’s Day which is more popularly called as Feast of Saint Martin, Martinstag or Martinmas or even Old Halloween and Old Hallowmas Eve which is celebrated every 11^th of November. This is also the time when the autumn wheat seeding is being completed.

Today, Martinsbrunnen is just one among the other 100 wells in Bonn. People enjoy the cool water on the fountain which bobbles everyday from 10 in the morning until 8 in the evening.

Stadtmuseum (City Museum Bonn)

Few steps from Bonn University is the City Museum.

The City Museum houses items that tell so many things about the life and style of life of the people from Bonn especially that of from the 18^th to the 19^th centuries.

Bonn being the residence to the Prince Elector of Cologne was visually captivating and so is the middle-class Bonn between the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

The City Museum has special rooms that tackles the subject like urban development, literature, music and enterprises’ history.

Like the other museums, I was secretly hoping that I can take pictures inside and show how the houses are designed and how everything used to look like.

The museum isn’t like other museum because it is divided by floors but the age of everything inside never failed to give me that nostalgic feeling. I was definitely taken back in time.

WONNETÖRTCHEN

We took a little break from all the walking and chatting and headed to this cute little cafe with heavenly cupcakes.

How am I supposed to take photos when I didn’t know how to stop myself from devouring the cupcake?

Inside this cafe, you won’t be bothered by the fact that this has a little room where kids can play and mothers can actually relax for a bit of mid-day-self- love or between running errands.

Here Miriam and I warmed up and got a little bit up close and personal. We had some girl and adulting talk. I have learned that she spent a semester in Australia which got me so convinced that she brought some sunshine back to Germany with that personality.

The cafe feel like it’s sort of a family place. I was even amused to see a man seated across our table comfortably reading a book but I didn’t flinch. A man reading a book with a pink background is something I don’t see very often especially where I am from but here in Germany, even in the buses and trains, they read.

Kreuzgang Bonner Münster (The Medieval Cloister)

Approximately 900 years old, Bonn Cloister, is the most fully preserved Roman cloister in the north of the Alps and in Rhineland.

It has been redesigned and even before that, it is already one of the most known tourist destinations in the world.

It has mentioned as one of the 1000 must see places before we die in relation to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

On the upper level of the south wing is a gallery.

It’s said that the Place of Silence were not cloister before World War II. During the Middle Ages, the courtyard has a different function. Monks and lords carried out their daily work there like cutting their hair, mending clothes and cleaning their shoes.

It is also said that until the 10^th century, the courtyard served as the grave of the pastors who passed on. Grave slabs are still visible up to these days. They are on the ground and on the walls.

Entering the cloister is like entering a different world despite the repairs going on.

I couldn’t stop closing my eyes trying to feel how it was during the medieval ages.

I was caught in the middle of trying to understand what Miriam was saying and feeling what my soul was feeling. The walls have secret. Were they trying to whisper to my ear?

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Kurfürstliches Schloss (The Electoral Palace)

This is the former residential palace of the Prince Electors of Cologne.

Built by Enrico Zuccali for Bavaria’s prince elector Joseph Clemens from 1697 to 1705.

Since 1818, it serves as the main building of University of Bonn which houses the University administration and humanities and theology’s faculty.

It is currently under construction but this is how it looks like.

Hofgarten (Bonn)

The Bonn Hofgarten is not just a known recreational park in Bonn for the students, it is also the garden built to the residence of Elector Clemens August in 18th century.

Wiki says that it “counts partly to the city center, partly to the south city and borders int he northwest on the main building of the Bonn University.”

The park witnessed as lot of protests especially during Bonn’s time on the seat of Germany’s Federal Republic.

These days, Bonn’s Hofgarten serves as a venue for graduation, student protests and rallies and major events like World Youth Day.

Altstadt (Old Town)

It’s said that the entrance to the old town is quite misleading because the old town’s heart is more in the direction of the Rhine.

Unfortunately, the historic old town was almost powdered during World War II. Thus, old town became the workers’ district to Bonn’s north and it’s just 100 years old.

This is my favorite place to go to in spring time.

Cherrry blossoms, cobbled-stone streets, cute little cafes and bookstores. It turns ordinary people to influencers and Instagrammers. This little street has the power to turn everyone to poets, artists and photographers. Mirriam showed me little nice cafes that I never thought existed. She even said that there is a live tracker for the cherry blossom during spring time to see the status of this beautiful creature.

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Love your Local Store– Concept Store

I am a big fan of souvenirs but I must say even if I didn’t buy anything, (I’m a minimalist), I love their items so much. This is not a sponsored post but if you are headed to Bonn, don’t miss this little shop and don’t hesitate to connect with Bonn Greeters. They are happy to show you around for FREE.

Leb so- Schnick schnack store

Who doesn’t love little knick knacks? I literally needed to remind myself a lot of times that I am a practicing minimalist and buying little something that I will not use everyday is not going to bring me joy. But, I must say that they have really nice items in there.

I am truly, very happy to have done this little trip. I get to know Miriam. We went to Burrito Rico and tried their genormously tasty burritos and hopped to the Herr Lehman for their cocktails later.

We bonded like old friends who didn’t see each other for a long time. We headed out buzzed. One cocktail definitely got me not fit to take the bus back home. (I’ve heard that it is going to be worse after few years. )

My boyfriend picked us up and then we drove Miriam home. Even after we dropped her off, I couldn’t stop raving about the little tour. Bonn is not just home to Beethoven nor the old capital of Germany. It is my third home and still highly convinced that Bonn is one of the most underrated places not just in Germany but in Europe.

Stay tuned for the third installment where I will write about my personal favorites. The ones that awaken the artist of life in me. I will also try to put together articles about the best cafes and restaurants in Bonn.

How about you? When are you going to awaken the giant in you? I’d love to see your answer in the comments below. Or sent me a message. I’d love to help you.

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